Note: Full spoilers from the episode to follow.

After the big breakup with Russell, Jess wasn't in the brightest of spirits during the beginning of this week's episode. And as we recall, she doesn't exactly handle this type of situation very well. (Dirty Dancing, anyone?) Because it isn't really a mourning period unless everybody knows about it. But as Schmidt was quick to point out, Jess wasn't the only one who was hurting in the world: the economy stinks, bees are dying, all movies are pretty much sequels now -- oh, and Schmidt still has a broken penis.

So instead of wallowing around, Jess went and got herself a "backslider," or, in layman's terms, a partner she's already been with. But instead of crawling back to Russell, Jess returned to a different ex-boyfriend: Paul! It was fun seeing Justin Long again, just as awkward and Jess-like as ever. I especially enjoyed his montage of smile-crying. ("It's like a slow motion sneeze!") And while it was cool to see the "Mercedes Gens" in all his nerkward glory, it did seem a little weird how Jess was used to help Paul out with his new girlfriend Jen (aka "Asian Jess"). I mean, I liked the idea, but did anyone else think that things got a little rushed when Paul was able to reconcile and propose to Jen mere minutes after he confessed to cheating on her with Jess? But I suppose that's half-hour TV for you. Nevertheless, that kid's recorder solo was dope, and overall, this was a fun arc.

Meanwhile, Nick was dealing with his own backsliding issues with Caroline. And it looks like the writers might be preparing for a Season 2 change-up by having Nick move out of the loft. There also seemed to be yet even more tension between Nick and Jess after their confrontation in the bathroom. I suspect they'll be keeping that romance in their back pocket for a little while longer after all.

Schmidt and Winston's stories were a little light this week, but that seemed appropriate considering some of the heavier material we were given with Nick. I know it should have gotten old, but Schmidt's constant reminders of his broken "knotted wizard staff" were awesome. I got the biggest laugh of the night when Cece discovered that Schmidt was getting turned on by emotional intimacy at the old folk's home. His reaction was priceless. Winston's earring bit was also good for a few laughs. But even more than the one-liner insults, I think just the fact that the earring kept getting bigger and more ridiculous in each scene was what sold it for me.

But my favorite part of the episode was getting to see Nick's DVD to himself forewarning the present Nick of a relationship with Caroline. There were some great bits in there that really got me. Just the physical resistance Nick had to actually watching the video was hilarious. I also loved the rest of the exerpts played during the tag. Anyone catch the Happy Endings reference? "Be nicer to Coach or he's gonna take off -- live with a bunch of other white people." And so he did...


Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love on Twitter and IGN.

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